WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Cole Van Assen struck out a career-high seven while becoming the Boilermakers' first starting pitcher this season to work into the eighth inning, a quality start that propelled Purdue Baseball to a series-clinching 10-5 victory vs. Rutgers on Saturday at Alexander Field.
The Boilermakers (22-12, 5-9 Big Ten) posted big innings in their first and final at-bats, rallying for a four-run first and five-run eighth while sending 10 men to the plate in both extended frames.
After producing just four base runners (two hits) vs. Van Assen over the first seven innings, the Scarlet Knights (16-19, 5-9 Big Ten) came alive in the top of the eighth and had the tying run in scoring position with one out. As Purdue's fourth pitcher of the frame, Avery Cook induced a chopper towards the second base bag that Ty Gill turned into an inning-ending 4-3 double play.
At the plate, Gill was 4-for-5 with four RBI, both totals representing career highs. He had a two-run single in both big innings.
In the bottom half of the eighth, the Boilermakers not only matched Rutgers' three-run rally but then added on two more insurance runs. Cook closed out the victory for his second save of the series, seventh of the season and 12th career. His seven saves are the most by a Boilermaker since 2019 and he's moved into sixth place in program history. The sidearmer has pitched in four consecutive games and 18 of 34 overall this season.
Van Assen's longest outing as a Boilermaker featured four 1-2-3 innings, including three straight while retiring the first 11 batters of the game. He surrendered just one hit to the first 23 batters he faced. Of the 26 total batters he faced, only five were out of the stretch. It was his second outing of the season without issuing a walk, both being at least six innings. The sophomore is Purdue's only starting pitcher to go at least four innings without issuing a walk this year.
A leadoff double in the eighth led to the only run Van Assen was charged with. He gave way to the bullpen and a different look on the mound invigorated the Rutgers lineup as the first five batters of the frame reached base safely.
Nick Kolze got a big out on a pop up off the bat of the cleanup hitter with the bases loaded and the tying run on base for the first time. But Purdue went back to the bullpen for Cook after Kolze went 2-0 on the next batter. Cook walked the batter to force home a run, but the big inning-ending double play followed.
Leadoff man Albert Choi batted twice in both big innings, igniting the rallies with a game-opening single and hit by pitch. Aaron Manias, Sergio DeCello and Gill delivered the RBI singles in the bottom of the first.
Purdue had only one extra-base hit on the day – CJ Richmond's two-run double to open the scoring in the five-run eighth. Brandon Rogers and Gill delivered two-out, run-scoring singles later in the frame.
Van Assen has worked 12 1/3 innings of two-run ball over his last two outings, both weekend starts in Big Ten play. Both runs he was charged with scored in the final inning he was on the mound (in each outing). Saturday, he became the first Boilermaker to pitch into the eighth inning at Alexander Field since Jordan Morales went 7 2/3 innings one year ago to the day (April 12, 2024) in a series-opening win vs. Michigan State.
Purdue swept that series vs. MSU and it had stood as the Boilermakers' last series win at home in Big Ten play until Saturday's victory. Purdue has won five straight against Rutgers and seven of eight dating back to 2023.
Sunday's series finale is slated for a 1 p.m. ET first pitch. Gavin Beuter is set to start on the mound for the Boilermakers, his first start of the season.
The Boilermakers (22-12, 5-9 Big Ten) posted big innings in their first and final at-bats, rallying for a four-run first and five-run eighth while sending 10 men to the plate in both extended frames.
After producing just four base runners (two hits) vs. Van Assen over the first seven innings, the Scarlet Knights (16-19, 5-9 Big Ten) came alive in the top of the eighth and had the tying run in scoring position with one out. As Purdue's fourth pitcher of the frame, Avery Cook induced a chopper towards the second base bag that Ty Gill turned into an inning-ending 4-3 double play.
At the plate, Gill was 4-for-5 with four RBI, both totals representing career highs. He had a two-run single in both big innings.
In the bottom half of the eighth, the Boilermakers not only matched Rutgers' three-run rally but then added on two more insurance runs. Cook closed out the victory for his second save of the series, seventh of the season and 12th career. His seven saves are the most by a Boilermaker since 2019 and he's moved into sixth place in program history. The sidearmer has pitched in four consecutive games and 18 of 34 overall this season.
Van Assen's longest outing as a Boilermaker featured four 1-2-3 innings, including three straight while retiring the first 11 batters of the game. He surrendered just one hit to the first 23 batters he faced. Of the 26 total batters he faced, only five were out of the stretch. It was his second outing of the season without issuing a walk, both being at least six innings. The sophomore is Purdue's only starting pitcher to go at least four innings without issuing a walk this year.
A leadoff double in the eighth led to the only run Van Assen was charged with. He gave way to the bullpen and a different look on the mound invigorated the Rutgers lineup as the first five batters of the frame reached base safely.
Nick Kolze got a big out on a pop up off the bat of the cleanup hitter with the bases loaded and the tying run on base for the first time. But Purdue went back to the bullpen for Cook after Kolze went 2-0 on the next batter. Cook walked the batter to force home a run, but the big inning-ending double play followed.
Leadoff man Albert Choi batted twice in both big innings, igniting the rallies with a game-opening single and hit by pitch. Aaron Manias, Sergio DeCello and Gill delivered the RBI singles in the bottom of the first.
Purdue had only one extra-base hit on the day – CJ Richmond's two-run double to open the scoring in the five-run eighth. Brandon Rogers and Gill delivered two-out, run-scoring singles later in the frame.
Van Assen has worked 12 1/3 innings of two-run ball over his last two outings, both weekend starts in Big Ten play. Both runs he was charged with scored in the final inning he was on the mound (in each outing). Saturday, he became the first Boilermaker to pitch into the eighth inning at Alexander Field since Jordan Morales went 7 2/3 innings one year ago to the day (April 12, 2024) in a series-opening win vs. Michigan State.
Purdue swept that series vs. MSU and it had stood as the Boilermakers' last series win at home in Big Ten play until Saturday's victory. Purdue has won five straight against Rutgers and seven of eight dating back to 2023.
Sunday's series finale is slated for a 1 p.m. ET first pitch. Gavin Beuter is set to start on the mound for the Boilermakers, his first start of the season.